On a momentous occasion, Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha inaugurated the Srinagar Smart City’s Srinagar Electric Bus Project, unveiling a fleet of 75 E-Buses at the Nishat Bus Terminal today. This groundbreaking initiative signifies a significant step towards enhancing the city’s public transportation system.
The 75 E-Buses, which form a part of the broader plan to introduce 100 electric buses in Srinagar, will be operating on 15 intra-city routes and 2 inter-city routes. These eco-friendly vehicles will run for a minimum of 200 kilometres each day, operating from 8 AM to 8 PM.
During his address, Lt. Governor Shri Manoj Sinha extended his congratulations to Srinagar Smart City Limited and the residents of Srinagar and surrounding areas. He emphasized the importance of smart mobility to achieve ecological harmony and outlined the commitment to carbon neutrality in line with the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji.
The Lt. Governor underscored that Srinagar Smart City Limited is transforming the concept of ‘modal shift’ into a tangible reality by adopting an integrated approach to provide seamless transportation services and contribute to the sustainability of society.
These E-Buses, dedicated to the people of Srinagar, aim to provide daily commuters and office-goers with access to a reliable, affordable, sustainable, and secure public transportation system that serves the city and its connected districts.
Lt. Governor Shri Manoj Sinha directed officials to ensure that the dedicated charging stations for the E-Buses remain operational throughout the year.
Expressing gratitude to the Central Government for their support in enhancing urban transport in the Union Territory, the Lt. Governor also shared his optimism about the forthcoming reality of Metro Rail systems in both Srinagar and Jammu.
The E-Buses come equipped with Universal Access and HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems, onboard vehicle tracking, CCTV surveillance, and emergency stop facilities. To enhance passenger convenience, a dedicated mobile app and online ticket payment facility have been developed. All the buses are seamlessly integrated with the Srinagar Smart City’s Integrated Command & Control Centre.
A bus depot is currently under development at Pantha Chowk, and charging sub-stations have been established to ensure the smooth operation of the E-Buses.
The launch ceremony witnessed the presence of key dignitaries, including Sh. Junaid Azim Mattu, Mayor SMC; Sh. Prashant Goyal, Principal Secretary Housing & Urban Development Department; Sh. Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Sh. Athar Aamir Khan, CEO Srinagar Smart City Limited; Sh. G. Prasanna Ramaswamy, Secretary Transport Department, ULB members, officials of the Civil Administration, representatives from Tata Motors, and prominent citizens. This milestone represents a significant stride towards a more sustainable and connected Srinagar.